The Association of Owners disagrees with the terms of the sale of the City Hall of Prague 10

Prague - Five associations of owners (SVJ) reached out to Prague 10 via a letter in which they disagree with the conditions of the call for bids for the purchase of the currently vacant former seat of the city district on Vršovická Street and the adjacent cultural center Eden, which is also not being used. This is evident from the letter that ČTK has at its disposal. The call for bids was published by the city hall at the end of May; according to the SVJ, it does not take into account, for example, the future use of the buildings or any additional traffic burden. The spokesperson for the city hall, Ján Bruno Tropp, stated that the city council will address the letter. According to the letter, the SVJ brings together hundreds of residents of houses that are directly adjacent to the city hall building.

By the end of 2023, the city district had to leave its office due to its deteriorating condition; since then, it has been located in rented space in an office building on Vinohradská street in Strašnice. The leadership of the city district had already published one call prior to the current one, in which 11 entities expressed interest in purchasing the city hall and the cultural center.

Subsequently, the city district evaluated the first call and, based on new information, issued a second one, in which interested parties can submit bids until June 13. However, according to local residents, the conditions are set inadequately. "The call does not take into account any future public benefits of the land use – the proposal completely lacks any elements of civic amenities, social infrastructure, or community use. This diminishes the potential of the area to serve the public in the form of cultural, educational, social, or recreational functions that would suitably complement and enrich life in this part of the city," states the letter.

The SVJ is also dissatisfied with the fact that the call does not address the increase in burden on the technical and transportation infrastructure, which is already overloaded today. Potential construction instead of the current buildings, according to locals, will lead to greater traffic load, higher noise, a shortage of parking spaces, or greater demands on public infrastructure, such as schools and kindergartens or healthcare facilities. "These consequences are not compensated for or anticipated within the current proposal, and the city district has not yet ensured the preparation of an appropriate impact analysis," states the letter.

According to residents, the city hall has also not sufficiently involved the public in the preparation for the sale. The SVJ demands the cancellation of the call and the incorporation of their requests into a new one. Among the requests are the preservation of the current volume and height of the former city hall and Eden cinema building, traffic connections only from Vršovická and not through the Vlasta estate, specification of the capacity of public and civic amenities before commencing any construction, or the preservation of existing parking capacities and green spaces.

Residents also request a guarantee against the establishment of businesses such as casinos or nightclubs, maintaining the current level of permeability of the area, or financial compensation for residents through a reduction in property tax for SVJ members during the construction or revitalization of the Vlasta estate at the investor's expense.

The SVJ's opposition was sent to the office today via their legal representative, and all heads of representative clubs were also informed. City hall spokesperson Tropp told ČTK that the office received the letter and the city council will address it.

Prague 10 originally wanted to renovate its city hall building; however, due to delays, according to the representatives' statements, the costs exceeded the capabilities of the city district. The planned sale is criticized by the opposition parties Pirates and ANO, who argue that the city district is forfeiting a strategic property that the city may use by selling its city hall.